Sunday, November 14, 2010

In Paradise

I could never get much excited by the notion

of Paradise / heaven / the hereafter.

It sometimes seems to be a construct of the church,

attached to the teachings of Jesus

and distracting us from his command

to get on with the work of love.

At best, it is a bit-player, thrust

on to the centre-stage, to claim the spotlight.

There it assumes the role

of an all-controlling Master of Ceremonies

through whom ecclesiastical authorities,

popes, priests and everybody in-between,

direct the thinking and the behaviour

of the masses. If you want to get there,

as opposed to the other place,

remember; we hold the keys!

It suited, too the civil authorities

with its message of divinely ordered patience.

No need for revolution, in Paradise

you will receive your reward / recompense

for all the indignities, pains and brutalities

suffered during your earthly sojourn!

In Luke’s story of the passion

the word is placed upon the lips

of the cross-suspended Jesus,

as he responds to the justice and compassion

of a fellow criminal. Truly I tell you,

today you will be with me in Paradise.

To die with Jesus; perhaps this

is the proper meaning of Paradise.



© Ken Rookes.

No comments:

The day is coming!

Haiku for partying Prophet Isaiah paints his partying canvas in bright, dancing hues. Come to God’s mountain, gather with you...